New in 2024 we are offering a Mount Baker Introduction to Mountaineering Youth course and scholarship, exclusively for youth participants ages 14 to 21. This course is funded by The Cairn Project, and operated by AWExpeditions in conjunction with Climbing The Seven Summits.
There are a total of five scholarship spots available; two are reserved specifically for girls or young women from the BIPOC community.
What do you need to be eligible to apply for this scholarship?
First and foremost, a love for the mountains, adventure, and physical activity - you do not need any prior mountaineering experience (that’s what we’ll teach you!), though it’ll be very helpful if you have gone backpacking before. No matter your backpacking experience or lack thereof… what you do need is the confidence that, by the time this course rolls around in August 2024, you’ll be able to carry a 40+ lbs pack with your mountaineering gear from the trailhead to basecamp. If you are 17 or younger, you’ll of course also need your parents’ permission to attend the course.
The Mount Baker Youth Scholarship
This scholarship includes the expedition fee for an all-girls 3-day instructional climb of Mt Baker (with a night in Seattle before and after the mountain), a $500 travel stipend to help offset the cost of airfare from/to Seattle, top-notch mountaineering footwear from LOWA Boots, and more. Thanks to the Cairn Project, there are a total of five Mount Baker Youth scholarships available for 2024. Each scholarship’s total value is >$4,000.
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At 10,781ft above sea level, Mt. Baker offers the perfect introduction to mountaineering. Mt Baker is often considered the best glacier training venue in the US; a true wilderness outing, climbers carry gear to camp, spend a full day training, and summit via the beautiful Easton glacier.
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This instructional course/summit climb via the Easton glacier is offered in collaboration with Climbing The Seven Summits. It will teach you the basics of glacier mountaineering, including proper ice axe use and self-arrest skills, glacier travel, and basic rope techniques while aiming to summit. With an intimate climber-to-guide ratio, we offer personal and hands-on training with an experienced guide team. Successful completion of this program gives you the required skills for many more advanced climbs and expeditions. Please note that our Mount Baker Youth Course is open to girls and young women ages 14 to 21.
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August 1-5 2024
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No mountaineering experience is required. Participants must be in very good physical condition. Previous hiking experience is required. Previous backpacking experience is highly recommended but not mandatory. You must be confident in your ability to carry a 40+ lbs pack from the trailhead to basecamp (~5 hours) and 3000 ft of ascent.
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Hotel accommodation pre-and post climb in Seattle and/or Sedro-Woolley, double occupancy
Welcome & final dinners in town
Transfers from Seattle to Mount Baker and return
Professional guide team including AWE expedition leader and Climbing The Seven Summits guide(s)
Team gear including four-season tents (double occupancy), ropes, snow anchors & team medical kit
On-trail real-time GPS tracking and communications
Top-notch mountaineering footwear from LOWA Boots, a mountaineering backpack from Deuter, and trekking poles from LEKI
A $500 travel stipend to help offset travel costs to/from Seattle
Access to substantive discounts for personal gear purchases
The Summit Scholarship award does not cover:
Airfare to & from Seattle beyond the travel stipend
Travel insurance or mandatory rescue insurance
Extra hotel nights in town in case of early departure from the mountain
Beverages and personal expenses
Personal mountaineering gear (sleeping bag / sleeping pad / crampons / axe - rentals are available)
Guide gratuity
